The Indian pharma industry is booming, owing to the population, rising healthcare expenditure and modernised healthcare services. It’s estimated India is the largest market for pharmaceuticals due to its population, incomes and improving medical services. SMEs and MNCs are present in India.

70-80% of Indian drugs and pharma products are imported from abroad. Indian companies are emerging players in the international market for their cost-efficiency, quality and strength in R&D. This article provides a list of top Indian pharma companies, divided into three categories.

• Domestic Pharma Companies: Found only in India, e.g. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Lupin, Cipla, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Aurobindo Pharma.
• Non-Resident Indian Pharma Companies: Combining foreign technology with local needs, e.g. Glenmark, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Wockhardt.
• Multinational Pharma Companies: These have branches across the globe. Examples include Pfizer, Novartis, Johnson&Johnson. They run production facilities in India, offering cheaper costs to customers.

List of top pharma companies in India

The pharma industry of India has taken a big leap ahead lately. It is now one of the major producers of generic medicines around the globe. So, let’s talk about the topmost pharma companies of India. We’ll delve into their story, business strategies, products and more. This will give us a better insight into this rapidly growing industry.

Let’s explore the topmost pharma companies of India:

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited is an Indian multinational pharmaceutical company based in Mumbai, Maharashtra that makes and sells pharmaceutical formulations and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Incorporated in 1992, Sun Pharma is the 5th biggest specialty generic pharmaceutical business on the planet. Its global presence offers a robust platform to grow market share in both mature and emerging markets.

The company has 10 manufacturing plants in India, 2 in the US, 1 in Hungary, Canada, Brazil, Egypt, and Mexico. Its product portfolio includes speciality drugs, ophthalmics- topical/orals, dermatology products, opioid analgesics, controlled substances, and inhalants. It also deals with over-the-counter (OTC) and generic prescription products/ actively regulated products/ branded generics across a range of therapeutic categories such as anti-infectives, gastrointestinal agents, psychiatry, antineoplastics/oncology related therapies, cardiovasculars, neurotoxins, and hormonal therapies.

Sun Pharma has also launched biosimilars for treating chronic illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis and breast cancer. They also offer contract manufacturing services (CMO). Their R&D capabilities include formulation development both at home and abroad, and they can reach up to 700 generic molecules around the world, with their own patented molecules.

They have about 2200 patents issued globally with 1000 granted applications still pending approval by various countries, and their foreign subsidiaries are working on the various regulatory barriers.

Cipla

Cipla is an Indian-based multi-national pharmaceutical company that has been producing and marketing drugs to 145 countries since 1935. It was founded by Dr. KA Hassan and Dr. Yusuf Hamied. The mission is to increase access to quality healthcare through refinement of existing drugs and developing new medications for unmet medical needs.

Cipla’s portfolio includes treatments for Cardiovascular conditions, Dermatology & Paediatrics, Respiratory conditions, HIV/AIDS, Asthma, Leukemia, Cardiac diseases and Diabetes. It is headquartered in Mumbai, India.

Cipla has over 4000 products, covering major therapeutic categories and 60 specialist brands. These products include:

• Lithostat for cardiovascular conditions
• Seroflo for asthma
• Dapsone for dermatology
• Asthalin and Sidestream (nebulizer) for respiratory care
• Cansten and Cryptocidin for peadiatric treatment
• Fortna-Plus in leukaemia care
• Sindenafil for erectile disfunction
• Voracept in Hepatitis B vaccine development
• Alpenzin (fluoxetine capsule) used mainly as an antidepressant
• Calpol (paracetamol) used mainly as a painkiller.

Cipla pledged $700 million dollars towards healthcare and innovation initiatives in India over a period of four years. It was recognised by Barron’s Magazine as one of “Global 100 Most Sustainable Companies” list, making India proud.

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd is a pharma company from India. It was founded in 1984 by Dr. Anji Reddy and has become one of the country’s biggest research-based pharma companies. Their products are sold in over 60 countries across the world. The company manufactures 42 APIs and 209 generic products. They have seven manufacturing facilities in India, Mexico, and Russia, and employ 10,000 people.

Dr. Reddy’s make tablets, capsules and tubes of ayurvedic drugs at four of their factories. These are in:

• Gagillapur near Hyderabad
• Toansa near Chandigarh
• Miryalguda near Hyderabad
• Nandalur near Tamil Nadu
• Baddi near Himachal Pradesh
• Kurnool (AP)
• Nashik (Maharashtra)

Lupin

Lupin Limited is a global pharmaceutical firm based in Mumbai, India. It is the third biggest Indian pharma company by market cap, and one of the top 20 pharma companies in India.

The company produces various generic, branded generic, and OTC products in therapeutic categories like cardiology, derma, gynecology, nephrology, neurology, and respiratory segments. Lupin also manufactures APIs which are used in 3rd party formulations. It has a strong presence in countries like Japan, USA, Latin America, and Europe.

It has facilities in 13 countries, including India, France, USA, Mexico and Brazil. These have been approved by global regulators such as US FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA). Additionally, it has R&D centers in Pune (India), Tokyo (Japan), and Milan (Italy). In 2009, Lupin was the first Indian firm to develop its own branded drug – Lupizide – for diabetes patients. It was ranked 202^nd in Fortune India 500 for 2019 list.

Aurobindo Pharma

Aurobindo Pharma is a renowned pharma company, both in India and across the globe. It was established in 1986 and generates an income of ₹25,721 crore. This Hyderabad-based firm produces and sells generic drugs in multiple therapeutic categories, such as anti-malarial, cardiovascular and immunosuppressant items.

It also deals in antibiotics, antiretrovirals, peptides and nutritional products. Aurobindo Pharma is present in 80 nations across five continents. Additionally, it has 30 manufacturing sites – 29 in India and 1 in the US – and 10 research & development centres around the world.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals is one of India’s top pharma firms. They specialize in research & development (R&D). They create branded generics, formulations, biopharmaceuticals, novel drug delivery systems and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for the Indian and international markets. Glenmark has invested lots in clinical trials to increase their product portfolio.

Glenmark has multiple manufacturing plants in India. Four of them have USFDA approval. The company has a strong presence in dermatology & respiratory segments. Products like Glemisip, Flohale Nasal Spray, and Hotkoff are popular. They also have an international presence in the USA, Latin America region & Europe including Russia & CIS and certain Emerging European Markets. Recently, they partnered with Chinese company TenFu to market their products in China.

Torrent Pharmaceuticals

Torrent Pharmaceuticals, based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is an acclaimed Indian pharma business. Since its founding in 1959, it has provided quality healthcare around the world. Torrent specializes in making generic medicines like antibiotics, diabetes drugs, antacids, antivirals and more. It produces tablets, capsules and liquids.

Over 30,000 professionals work for Torrent and it has operations in 43 countries. The R&D team focuses on treatments for ailments like cancer and diabetes. Torrent is expanding in India and abroad, like in China and Brazil. In 2019, its sales hit 16 billion rupees, up 11% from the year before. It is a top pharma company in India.

Cadila Healthcare

Cadila Healthcare Ltd, based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is a renowned Indian pharma company. They manufacture and sell formulations, active pharmaceutical ingredients, biotechnology products, and animal health products. Their product portfolio features a range of branded generics and OTC categories.

They have multiple research centers throughout India, dedicated to finding innovative treatments for long-term incurable diseases. Technologies for biologics manufacturing are set up at their Moraiya and Makai plants in Ahmedabad.

The company strives to bring world class medicines to people all over the world, through facilities in the US, Canada and other locations. They also use global tech platforms, like m-health apps and e-learning platforms, to better connect rural areas with certified medical professionals.

In July 2017, Cadila Healthcare was upgraded to the Fortune 500 listing, making them one of India’s largest companies in terms of turnover. They also won the Innovation Excellence Award from EY (Ernst&Young) for their research performance in 2017–18. Additionally, they were awarded the Top Pharma Company Award 2019 by IMS (IMS Business Data Solutions), based on market share analysis.

Wockhardt

Wockhardt is an India-based leading global pharmaceutical and biotechnology company. It was founded in 1960 and is now one of the top 10 in the Indian pharma market. Wockhardt has a presence in more than 100 countries worldwide and its headquarters is in Mumbai. Around 7,000 people work at its seven research and manufacturing facilities.

The company is known for its strong product pipeline, such as new drug delivery systems (NDS) and highly active biotherapeutics. Its product portfolio contains high-quality prescription drugs and consumer health care products for therapeutic areas like diabetes, cardiology, gastroenterology & respiratory diseases. It also offers functional food items under the brand BanglaHealth.

Wockhardt’s commitment to quality excellence is widely recognized. Its manufacturing activity surpasses all national and international GMP, US FDA, UK MHRA & EDQM regulations. In addition, it has a strong presence in the generics market through global partnerships that provide wide access to patients in different geographies.

Divi’s Laboratories

Divi’s Laboratories Ltd is a renowned pharmaceutical company in India. Founded in 1990 by Murali K. Divi, it manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and intermediates of medicines. The company always meets deadlines while ensuring high quality standards.

Divi’s has three facilities located at Visakhapatnam and Jejuri, along with a SEZ facility. It also operates a Research & Development Centre in Bangalore. Here, technologies are developed using different delivery systems such as novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) involving nanotechnology & biotechnology based API processes.

Divis Laboratories is devoted to providing world-class services. It has also ventured into new markets for its export business strategy. The company invests heavily in R&D processes that incorporate integrated biotech & nanotech technologies. It strictly follows WHO GMP regulations, thus ensuring safety for consumers. This helps in the growth of the healthcare industry in India.

Conclusion

To sum it up, the top 10 pharma companies in India are:

1. Cipla
2. Sun Pharmaceuticals
3. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
4. Lupin Ltd.
5. Cadila Healthcare Ltd.
6. Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
7. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
8. Ipca Laboratories
9. Biocon
10. Wockhardt

These rankings were based on revenue data taken from company websites and industry reports.

On top of these 10 leading pharmaceutical companies, there are many more small ones contributing to the sector across India.

Given the potential of the Indian Pharma market, plus the stiff competition due to domestic and global players entering the market from time to time, the rankings may change frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some of the top pharma companies in India?

Some of the top pharma companies in India are Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Cipla, Lupin Ltd, and Aurobindo Pharma.

2. What makes these companies stand out compared to other pharma companies?

These companies have a strong presence and reputation in the Indian pharma industry, and have established successful businesses both domestically and internationally. They also have a diverse range of products and a focus on research and development.

3. What kind of products do these companies manufacture?

These companies manufacture a wide range of pharmaceutical products, including generics, branded drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), and biosimilars. They also produce a variety of dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, injectables, and inhalers.

4. Are these companies affordable for the average consumer?

Yes, these companies strive to make their products affordable and accessible to the average consumer. They often offer generic versions of popular drugs at lower prices and may have partnerships with government programs to provide affordable healthcare.

5. Are these companies environmentally friendly?

These companies are increasingly focused on sustainability and environmental responsibility. They may have programs in place to reduce waste and conserve resources, and may invest in eco-friendly technologies.

6. Are these companies involved in any philanthropic or charitable initiatives?

Yes, many of these companies have corporate social responsibility programs that may involve supporting education, healthcare, and community development initiatives. They may also donate funds or resources during times of crisis or disaster.